Books Like...

"My Dark Places" by James Ellroy is a memoir that delves into the author's own childhood, focusing on his mother's unsolved murder and his quest to find the true culprit many years later. Ellroy intricately weaves a narrative that reads like fiction, revealing haunting truths about his past in a brutally honest fashion. The book combines elements of a true crime investigation with a personal confession, offering insights into the dark and violent art that shapes Ellroy's literary obsessions.

'Perfidia' by James Ellroy is a complex and gritty novel set in Los Angeles in December 1941, just before and after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The story revolves around the murder of a Japanese family, with LAPD eager to quickly solve the case amidst a backdrop of corruption, violence, and racial tensions. The book intricately weaves together a wide range of characters, both fictional and real, showcasing a historical perspective on the time period with a mix of intense plotlines and a unique, staccato writing style that sets the tone for a dark and suspenseful narrative.

"American Tabloid" is a fast-paced and complex thriller that interprets historical events through the eyes of a hardboiled crime novelist. Set in the late 1950s to the assassination of JFK, the book delves into the seedy underbelly of America, showcasing corruption, crime, violence, betrayal, and political machinations involving real-life figures like JFK, RFK, J. Edgar Hoover, and Jimmy Hoffa. The narrative weaves together a mix of fictional characters like Ward Littell, Pete Bondurant, and Kemper Boyd with historical events such as the Bay of Pigs invasion and the Cuban Crisis. The writing style, characterized by short, staccato sentences and a tabloid-like approach, captivates readers with its gritty and detailed portrayal of a dark period in American history.

In the noir history of Los Angeles, the unsolved murder mystery of Elizabeth Short, also known as the Black Dahlia, takes center stage. The book portrays a fictionalized account of the investigation carried out by LAPD cops Bucky Bleichert and Lee Blanchard, delving into the dark and twisted world of post-war Los Angeles. As the detectives navigate through police brutality, corruption, and personal entanglements, the story unfolds with elements of passion, deceit, and psychological tension, capturing the essence of the times and the characters involved.

The narrative follows Bucky Bleichert's relentless pursuit of the truth behind the Black Dahlia murder, intertwining it with his personal struggles and obsessions. Set against the backdrop of a seedy and corrupt Hollywood, the book presents a complex and gritty portrayal of the era, showcasing engaging character development, vivid descriptions, and a compelling plot filled with twists and turns that keep readers enthralled throughout the dark and eerie tale.